First and Second Language Acquisition As educators, most of us know how a child acquires a first language. Although each child learns to speak in a unique way, we know the basic steps in this progression.
When a child starts to learn a second language, however, there are many concerns about what could happen to the child's first language. The following document compares first and second language acquisition, while touching on sound systems, learning environments, and other related factors.
As educators, most of us know how a child acquires a first language. Although each child learns to speak in a unique way, we know the basic steps in this progression.
When a child starts to learn a second language, however, there are many concerns about what could happen to the child's first language. The following document compares first and second language acquisition, while touching on sound systems, learning environments, and other related factors.
The following two websites may be helpful to those educators wanting to learn more about first and second language acquisition:
Beverly Clark oulines first and second language acquisition in this professional paper:
http://ceep.crc.uiuc.edu/pubs/katzsym/clark-b.pdf
Linda Halgunseth shares a personal story about being cut off from learning a second language due to her parents fear of the loss of her language 1. She outlines the different ways students learn a second language :
http://www.education.com/reference/article/how-children-learn-second-language/
Michelle Samoray
msamoray@gmail.com